Attendees

• Tom Tracy (Preim)
• Davina Masemo (Cratus, on behalf of St. Modwen)
• Imogen Spencer-Dale (Cratus, on behalf of St. Modwen)
• Thasleem Akhtar (Pinnacle Group)
• Josie Bourner (Resident Representative)
• James Hodgson (Resident Representative)
• Eve Morgan (Resident Representative)
• Akos Verebes (Resident Representative)

Discussion items

Lighting bollards between Phases 1a and 1b

Unfortunately, due to vandalism, the lighting bollards on the path between Phases 1a and 1b are out of action at the moment. Whilst it is extremely disappointing that they have been treated in this way, it has alerted people to the fact that they might not have been as resilient as was needed. Insurers will be on site on 29 August 2024 but the current plan is for the insurance to provide money to the value of like-for-like replacements and for St. Modwen to pay for the uplift to a more resilient bollard design.

Hopefully we will have information at the next meeting regarding dates etc as it is recognised that the pathway is well used and needs to be safe for the coming shorter days.

Residents Working Group “application” process

Josie Bourner presented her ideas for a simplified version of the current joining forms. Josie, Tom and Imogen agreed they would get together to discuss the matter in more detail and present the result in a future meeting.

Community Noticeboard (physical and virtual)

Before her departure from the Community Development Officer role, Anne Richardson was instrumental in arranging for / creating noticeboards for the Kingsgrove community. One is a physical noticeboard that Anne arranged to be installed on the side of the Kingsgrove Cafe. The other is WhatsApp community, Kingsgrove Community Noticeboard, which has an “announcements” channel as well as several subgroups, setup by members of the community.

Physical noticeboard

The physical noticeboard is currently on the side of the Kingsgrove Cafe. There is also some space inside the cafe that might be able to be used to advertise community events. Paul Gander is currently the keyholder.

Virtual noticeboard

If you want something to be sent out to the virtual noticeboard’s announcements channel please visit https://kingsgrove-residents.co.uk/go/contact and select the appropriate option.

Imogen and James agreed to get together to make sure that both physical and virtual get some publicity to make them useful to the Kingsgrove Community.

Remaining section of the Woodland Walk

It was noted that the remaining section of the Woodland Walk, parallel to WELR 1, is still not open. Some work remains outstanding and Whitings have provided quotes to undertake the work. This would not be funded from the service charge, but instead directly from St. Modwen. Hopefully it will open in September 2024.

S106 Open Space Contributions Fund

As detailed in a previous post, the Vale of White Horse District Council has refused to increase the cap on the amount of money that can be claimed back from the S106 Open Space Contributions Fund. This is extremely frustrating. Tom Tracy and Andrea Clarke are working on closing out the process for the last year, which should provide a rebate of approximately 22%.

New Preim portal

Tom Tracy provided news that the new Preim portal is nearing roll-out. It is much easier to use and should be more useful to residents. No information will be lost during the move to the new system.

Social Housing representation

With the welcome addition of Thasleem from Pinnacle, we are nearing a situation where all of the housing associations working in Kingsgrove will be represented on the Working Group.

Tom Tracy will provide a map of which housing association is responsible for which area / block.

Responsibility map

The responsibility map is now live. Mention was made of the somewhat odd road representation in Phase 1b. It was agreed that this would be corrected when the map is next revised.

Wantage Town Council and the Woodland Walk

As discussed in much more detail here, Wantage Town Council has expressed interest in taking over the management of the Woodland Walk in its entirety.

Fencing

It has been confirmed by St. Modwen that there will be no fencing, other than to enclose the tree areas, between the Woodland Walk and King Alfred’s Way (aka WELR). Parents and dog owners need to be aware and take full responsibility for everyone in their care.

It has also been confirmed by St. Modwen that all fencing surrounding the play park, and associated wooded area, will be removed shortly as it was never part of the main planning application.

Tom Tracy will be talking with Whitings about possibilities of natural alternatives.

Speeding through the estate

It was mentioned that there were still concerns about speeding on the estate even though speed limit signs were now installed in most areas of the estate. Unfortunately, there is nothing that the Working Group can offer in the way of help, other than to remind people in all of the newsletters from St. Modwen of the speed limits.

“Path to nowhere”

It was noted that the new path from the A417 into Kingsgrove, via the Bellway development, is not complete, despite looking so from the A417. Once development has been completed by the Bellway, the path will open. In the meantime, Tom Tracy will request that barriers be erected to stop people.

Travel vouchers

Several residents have complained that they have yet to hear about their applications for the Kingsgrove Travel Incentives. Imogen has been in touch with Vectos, who has conceded that there are delays in processing the applications because new contracts with suppliers are yet to be signed. All affected parties should receive some sort of acknowledgement before Friday 16 August. If not, they are encouraged to contact community@kingsgrovewantage.co.uk.

Signs alerting to the presence of ground nesting birds

Following a disturbing incident when a dog was observed attacking and killing moorhen chicks in the Woodland Walk, it had been suggested that signage alerting people to the possible presence of such ground nesting birds could be erected. The initial designs submitted were deemed to be too expensive and too “clinical. Tom was going to request some design updates. Given that the nesting season has passed and the fact that Wantage Town Council may take over maintenance of the area, it was felt that it would be good to minimise any “extra cost” to residents.

Water fountain – multiple repairs

Following several repairs to the water fountain in the public square, it has now been confirmed that the faults weren’t linked.

Ragwort

Whitings have been alrted to the presence of ragwort on Kingsgrove and have been working to remove as much of it as possible.

Whitings – change of contact

Todd Jeffries has been the main point of contact for Preim in Whitings. However, he has moved to another role and Richard Key has replaced him.

Site visitation

Tom Tracy confirmed that he would be visiting Kingsgrove on Thursday 22 August and Thursday 29 August.

GroW event

At the beginning of August GroW held an event on the grass area next to the play park. Nearly 40 families were in attendance and the event was deemed a success.

Parking prevention methods

A resident has asked for large rocks to be placed on the western side of Primrose Avenue, just north of the junction with Hawkey Road, to deter parking on the grass verge. Similar rocks are already in place on Primrose Avenue between the junctions of Elder Way and Goodenough Drive.

A quote of £2400 + VAT had been received for 5 large boulders. It was felt that this was a lot of money and further quotes would be requested and that any unauthorised parking in that area would be monitored.

Next meeting

The next meeting is September 19, 2024 (Kingsgrove Residents Working Group - Thursday 19 September 2024)